Robert H. Whytlaw-Gray,OBE,FRS[1](14 June 1877 – 29 January 1958) was an English chemist, born in London. He studied at theUniversity of GlasgowandUniversity College Londonand wasProfessorofInorganic Chemistryat theUniversity of Leeds.He andWilliam Ramsayisolatedradonand studied its physical properties (density, weight).[2]
Robert Whytlaw-Gray | |
|---|---|
| Born | 14 June 1877 Hampstead,England |
| Died | 29 January 1958(aged 80) Welwyn Garden City,England |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | University of Glasgow |
| Awards | Fellow of the Royal Society[1] |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | |
Early life and education
editRobert Whytlaw-Gray (also Robert Whytlaw Whytlaw-Gray)[3]was born inHampsteadon 14 June 1877, son of Robert James Gray and Mary Gilkieson Gemmell Whytlaw.
His early education was atSt Paul’s School,where little science was taught. When he was about 12, Whytlaw-Gray set up a laboratory at home and taught himself chemistry. At eighteen he went to theUniversity of Glasgowto study engineering and it was there that he heard a lecture byWilliam Ramsay[4]which so inspired him that he determined to go toUniversity College London(UCL), to study under him. This he did, from 1896, so successfully that he won the Tufnell Scholarship in chemistry in 1898. The prize is awarded to “the best graduate, under the age of 24, progressing to the Research School”[5]which presumably means Whytlaw-Gray gained a first degree, although there is no formal record of this. In 1903 he joinedAnschütz’slab at theUniversity of Bonn,where he worked on the atomic weight of nitrogen and where he was awarded aPhDin 1906.
Academic career
editOn his return to UCL Whytlaw-Gray was appointed to Ramsay’s staff, and made Assistant Professor in 1908. He worked on the physical properties ofradon,[6]resigning his post in 1914.
The following year he started as a temporary science master atEton.Later Whytlaw-Gray was appointed a civilian chemical adviser to the Chemical Warfare Committee. He started work on aerosols and toxic smokes, assisted by J B Speakman.[7]These researches were of great practical value in thewareffort, and continued for many years.
In 1923 he was appointedProfessorofInorganic Chemistryand Head of the Chemistry Department at theUniversity of Leedsin succession toArthur Smithells.He stayed at Leeds for 22 years.[8]The University conferred on him the title ofEmeritusProfessor on his retirement and, in 1950, the degree ofDSchonoris causa.
Honours
editWhytlaw-Gray was awarded theOBEin 1920.[9]He was elected aFellow of the Royal Society(FRS) in 1928.[1]
Personal life
editWhytlaw-Gray married Doris Fortescue Carr atSt Stephen Walbrookon 22 July 1911. They had two daughters, Philippa Mary (born 1915) and Alianore Doris (born 1916).
Death
editWhytlaw-Gray died on 21 January 1958, aged 80[10]at The Cottage Hospital,Welwyn Garden City.His wife died in 1961.
References
edit- ^abcCox, E. G.; Hume, J. (1958). "Robert Whytlaw-Gray 1877-1958".Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society.4:327–339.doi:10.1098/rsbm.1958.0025.S2CID73066148.
- ^"History - People - R W Gray".UCL.Retrieved31 October2009.[]
- ^In his marriage certificate, the citation for his OBE, and in the probate register after his death he is shown as Robert Whytlaw Whytlaw-Gray. The register for his birth, however, names him as Robert Whytlaw-Gray)
- ^Robert Whytlaw-Gray, E G Cox and J Hume, Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society, Vol 4 (Nov 1958), pp 326-339
- ^"Departmental Prizes and Scholarships".UCL: Chemistry.Retrieved25 June2020.
- ^R. W. Gray; W. Ramsay (1909)."Some Physical Properties of Radium Emanation".J. Chem. Soc. Trans.1909:1073–1085.doi:10.1039/CT9099501073.
- ^"News and Views: Dr J B Speakman".Nature.144(3635): 15–16. 1 July 1939.doi:10.1038/144015d0.S2CID4010782.
- ^"Chemistry at Leeds: Retirement of Prof W R [sic] Whytlaw-Gray, OBE, FRS ".Nature.156(3961): 386. 29 September 1945.Bibcode:1945Natur.156Q.386..doi:10.1038/156386a0.S2CID4098806.
- ^"To be Officers of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order".Supplement to the London Gazette:3788. 30 March 1920.
- ^The National Probate Calendar entry has the wrong date of death: 21 January 1959